About

Socceroos to face China in Sydney

The Socceroos will complete their home international matches for the year with a game against China in Sydney on Saturday 13 October 2007.

The Socceroos will complete their home international matches for the year with a game against China in Sydney on Saturday 13 October 2007.

The Sydney Football Stadium, which has hosted 37 Socceroos international since 1988 and is the home ground of Hyundai A-League club Sydney FC, will be the venue for the match.

“Australia's qualifying for the 2010 World Cup starts in February next year and this match is vital to our preparations as we start the journey to South Africa,” said FFA CEO Mr. Ben Buckley.

“China were finalists at the 2004 AFC Asian Cup and will provide strong opposition.”

“We have two crucial matches with the Socceroos also playing Argentina in Melbourne on 11 September and these games will give the fans a great opportunity to see the national team in action.”

NSW Premier, Morris Iemma said the match was a great opportunity for local Socceroo fans and Sydney-s Chinese population to come out in numbers and show their support for football.

“With Australia now firmly entrenched in Asian football and China a team on the rise, this match should be a great spectacle,” Mr Iemma said.

“Sydney is always proud to host the Socceroos and I know that football fans will turn out in force in what is an exciting time for football in Australia.”

SFS Chief Executive Mr Jamie Barkley said at least two Qantas Socceroo matches will be played at the SFS over the next 17 months and the match with China continues the stadium-s long standing association with the national team.

“The SFS has hosted many World Cup and Asian Cup qualifying matches in recent years and, together with the supportive Australian public, we look forward to seeing our local and overseas stars in action once again,” said Mr Barkley.

The match against China rounds out some exciting upcoming events for football in Australia including:

• Qantas under 23s in final phase of qualifying matches for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games commencing on 22 August
• Kick-off of the 2007/08 season of the Hyundai A-League on 24 August (Sydney FC v Central Coast at Sydney Football Stadium)
• Matildas in the finals of the FIFA Women-s World Cup in China from 10 September
• Socceroos v Argentina at the MCG on 11 September
• Socceroos v China at the SFS on 13 October
• 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw in Durban on 25 November
• Sydney FC v LA Galaxy at Telstra Stadium on 27 November
• The Asian Football Confederation Gala Awards in Sydney on 28 November

Australia played China earlier this year in March in Guangzhou and won 2-0 thanks to goals from Brett Holman and Mark Bresciano.

Australia v China will be shown live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS with tickets going on sale from late August to the Football Family and Australian sports fans from early September.